CHAPTER LXXXIII.
IN WHICH THE KNIGHT OF THE SILVER SPECTACLES MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF
THE SAGE 'BLACK DILLON,' AND CONFERS WITH HIM IN HIS RETREAT.
AT that time there had appeared in Dublin an erratic genius in the
medical craft, a young surgeon, 'Black Dillon,' they called him, the
glory and disgrace of his calling; such as are from time to time raised
up to abase the pride of intellect, and terrify the dabblers in vice. A
prodigious mind, illuminating darkness, and shivering obstacles at a
blow, with an electric force--possessing the power of a demigod, and the
lusts of a swine. Without order, without industry; defying all usages
and morality; lost for weeks together in the catacombs of vice; and
emerging to re-assert in an hour the supremacy of his intellect; without
principles or shame; laden with debt; and shattered and poisoned with
his vices; a branded and admired man.
In the presence of this outcast genius and prodigy of vice, stood Mr.
Dangerfield. There were two other gentlemen in the same small room, one
of whom was doggedly smoking, with his hat on, over the fire; the other
snoring in a crazy arm-chair, on the back of which hung his wig.
Pages:
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751